The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1887-07-21
Died en- the Side of the Track,

bernians
Died en- the Side Of the Track.
On Monday evening last the south bound
train on the B. & o. was about an hour be-
hind the schedule time. AT Harrisonburg
the crowd that boarded it filled the cars
to overlooking, and several stations were
passed before the passengers had thinned
out sufficiently to give seats to all who
remained. The usual stops were made,
at the various points. At Staunton
there was an unusually large crowd gath
cred about the depot, and more than the
ordinary noise and connection.
A half mile south of the depot, in the
field of Mrs. Gay, another stop was made,
and a colored man let off. Two hours la
ter the man was dead, within twenty steps
of the spot on which he had alighted.
When Mr.. VIM. Gay went home, about
dark, the servants told him that man had
been put off the train at the little fill, not
far from the house; that he had half
walked and half staggered across the track
and was lying there still. Nh. Gay went
to the designated spot, and saw the man
lying on the west side of the embank-
meut. He at first supposed him under the
influence of liquor, but upon questioning
him discovered that he was very i'll. The
stranger was a colored man, apparently
between thirty-five and forty years old,
neatly dressed and Of tidy appearance. He
stated that his name was William John
son that he had been in service at Capon
Springs, and was on his way to his home
in Charlottesville. When the train reached
Staunton he was asleep, and did not arouse
until the conductor came around to take
up the tickets after leaving the station.
The conductor asked why he had not got
ten off, and his reply was that he was sick
and asleep at the time and did not know
that he had reached his getting off place.
The train was stopped and he was put off,
Mr.. Gay asked him if he could walk and
he said that hedid not think he could but
would try. Mr.. G.. assisted him to
his feet, and supported him for some
twenty steps, when his limbs seemed to
give way, and he was lowered to the
ground. Mr.. Gay then called to his broth
er to bring some water, and the sick man
was given drink and some whiskey. This
seemed to revive him, and he stated that
he knew Aaron Shoveler and Hugh Muir
raw in Staunton. and asked that one of
them be sent for to take him to town. Mr..
Erskine Gay started to deliver the mes
sage, and Mr.. VIM. Gay remained with the
sick man, He talked nationally for awhile.
but seemed to be suffering great pain
Ere Mr.. Erskine Gay returned with Muir
ray. the sufferer was dead.
Coroner Gushing was at once summoned,
and with him came DR.. f. l.. Henkel.-
After an examination the doctor could
discern no signs whatever Of violence, and
came to the conclusion that death had re-
suited from natural causes. After hear
| ing the statement Of Mr.. Gay, the coroner
deemed an inquest unnecessary, and the
body was cofined and forwarded to Char
| lottesyille.
The deceased had $11.S5 in money on
his person, cheap watch, pistol and va
| rious trinkets. In his valise were found
| some clothing and other effects OF little
| value. The valise also contained letter
| from the dead mans wife expressing sor-
row at his sickness, and also a letter writ
ten by the deceased but never mailed, in
which he stated that he had been sick ever
since his arrival at Capon, and that if he
did not improve he would return home.
Capt. Jenkins, the conductor, stated that
the man had been asleep on his train
When 'Staunton'' was called, as the train
drew into the depot. he awoke and looked
up. After this his presence was not noticed
until above half mile from the depot.
The conductor then asked him why he
had not gotten off, and he replied that he
was asleep when the train reached staun-
ton and did not know it had passed. The
conductor then told HIM he would either
have to get out and go back, or else go on
to the next station. He stated that although
sick he preferred to get out where he was
and walk back to town. Being asked if he
felt well enough to walk back anc carry
his yalise he replied that he did. He was
then let off of the train.
From all that we can learn the deceased
was very worthy man, and had a large
family dependent upon him. There will
doubtless be further investigation into
| the circumstances of his death.
RETURNED TO THE Asylum ester
day Chief of Police ROLAND received a
telegram from uperintendent D. B. Con-
rad, Of the Lunatic Asylum, Stanton
asking to have arrested white man
named Daniel P. Crockett, an escaped in
mate of that institution. The arrest was
,aade yesterday afternoon, and Mr.. Cor
rad was notified, when he asked that tht
man be held, and that he would send fol-
him by the first train. Officer John Mil
Ter, Of Staunton, arrived here by the Johi
Romer to-day, armed with the necessar,
papers, identified the man and left witt
him for stapptop in the afternoon =
Crockett is said to be q dangerous lunatic
espeoially when drinking Led
ger, 10th.
New Jerseys just received at